A federal judge issued a permanent injunction on Tuesday, preventing President Donald Trump from dismissing a board member who oversees protections for federal workers. This decision could potentially lead the case to the Supreme Court and is part of a series of court rulings concerning Trump and the sweeping modifications implemented by costcutting czar Elon Musk within the federal government.
Key Facts
Various plaintiffs, including Democratic attorneys general, federal employees, labor unions, nonprofits, and other organizations, have initiated numerous lawsuits confronting the Trump administration’s actions since his inauguration. With Republicans in control of both the White House and Congress, legal action has become a primary strategy for Democrats to challenge Trump’s policies. While these lawsuits continue to navigate through the appropriate legal channels, several temporary rulings have emerged, either blocking certain policies during litigation or allowing various orders to remain unchanged until a final ruling is reached. Thus far, permanent decisions have only been rendered in two cases tied to specific federal employee firings, although these could be overturned by higher courts upon appeal. Consequently, all litigation remains fluid: judges who have ruled favorably toward the Trump administration previously may issue future rulings that oppose its policies and vice versa, and both favorable and unfavorable rulings are subject to appeal to higher courts.
Where Has Trump Won In Court?
CIA Employees: In a ruling by Judge Anthony Trenga, CIA Director John Ratcliffe has the authority to dismiss employees involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles, despite a prior lawsuit from those employees attempting to prevent their termination. The judge acknowledged the fairness of the dismissals but affirmed Ratcliffe’s legal prerogative.
Foreign Aid: Chief Justice John Roberts of the Supreme Court issued a temporary halt on a lower court’s ruling requiring the Trump administration to distribute foreign aid for completed projects. This decision comes just before the deadline for fund release, marking the Supreme Court’s initial ruling in favor of Trump since he returned to office, supporting his aim to reduce expenditures of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
USAID Staffers: Judge Carl Nichols ruled on February 21 that workers at USAID could be placed on leave—a reversal of a prior decision against the government—after a government filing assured that staff on leave would continue receiving protections.
Associated Press Access: Judge Trevor McFadden denied a request from the Associated Press for reinstatement of reporter access to significant White House events, following restrictions imposed by the Trump administration for the news agency’s use of the term “Gulf of Mexico,” which contradicted Trump’s directive to rebrand it as the “Gulf of America.”
Elon Musk’s Authority: Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled against efforts by Democratic attorneys general to limit Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing federal data, suggesting concerns about Musk’s authority yet leaving the door open for possible future rulings against him.
DOGE and Labor Data: Judge John Bates rejected labor unions’ requests to bar DOGE from accessing data from the Labor Department during ongoing litigation, citing a lack of standing and insufficient evidence to support their claims, while noting significant privacy concerns.
Federal Worker Buyouts: Judge George O’Toole declined to extend a deadline for federal employees to accept buyout offers, ruling on February 12 that challenging unions lacked standing to issue the case after previously granting deadline extensions.
Federal Employee Emails: Judge Randolph Daniel Moss rejected an attempt by federal workers to prevent the government from sending mass emails to employees through an allegedly unsecured email system, determining the plaintiffs likely lacked standing.
Where Has Trump Lost In Court?
Federal Worker Firings: Judge Rudolph Contreras, an Obama appointee, issued a permanent injunction preventing the termination of Cathy Harris, a board member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, ruling that her firing violated federal law, which precludes removals except for “malfeasance.”
Birthright Citizenship: The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia rejected the Trump administration’s appeal of a Maryland ruling that blocked an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, asserting that the government failed to demonstrate a likely chance of success in their claim.
Probationary Worker Firings: Judge William Alsup ordered the Office of Personnel Management to revoke a memo urging the firing of numerous newer “probationary” employees, indicating the OPM’s moves may be illegal.
Refugee Admissions: Judge Jamal Whitehead blocked Trump’s executive order that suspended refugee admissions, citing it as an effort to nullify Congressional intent, with the refugee program established by legislature.
DOGE Access to Student Loan Data: A federal judge in Maryland restricted DOGE’s access to data at the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Education while litigation by the American Federation of Teachers and federal employees is ongoing.
DOGE Access to Treasury Data: Judge Jeanette Vargas barred DOGE’s access to Treasury Department data amid ongoing litigation, following earlier mixed rulings on the entity’s access capabilities.
Funding Freeze: Two federal judges intervened to stop the Trump administration’s directive to stall nearly all federal grant funding, with Judge John McConnell enforcing this on February 10.
Diversity and Inclusion Efforts: Federal judges have intervened to block Trump’s administration efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and to retain civil servants in related roles while litigation proceeds.
Transgender Rights: The Trump administration has faced legal setbacks regarding restrictions on transgender rights, with multiple judges halting efforts to confine transgender women to male prisons, as well as temporary limits on prohibitions of genderaffirming healthcare for minors.
